Eau Claire Boys
In 1959, the Scouts changed their name to Eau Claire Boys Drum & Bugle Corps. For the next 10 years, the ECB traveled throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa, with trips as far as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada.
The uniforms & Aussie-style hats were picked out by Walt Brown, apparently influenced by the Scout House Bugle Band of Preston, Ontario. In addition, the ECB marching style - incorporating an exaggerated arm swing - was influenced by Scout House.
Several Dates on ‘Busy Schedule’ --
Drum and Bugle Corps Wearing New Uniforms
by Eau Claire Daily Leader Staff Writer
The Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corps has been completely reorganized and outfitted in new uniforms as it starts its
third season, it was announced by Walter Brown, executive director.
The corps has already opened what is slated to be a busy season by being featured in a parade in Somerset last Sunday. It
appeared in the St. Paul Winter Carnival and at the Lions Club convention in LaCrosse.
It will be headlined at the dairy celebration in Sparta Saturday, with the parade scheduled for 11 a.m., and at the Muskie
Festival in Hayward Sunday.
Other important dates already scheduled are the Minneapolis Aquatennial parade July 18 and the big parade during the national
convention of the American Legion in Minneapolis in August.
The 80 members of the Corps, ranging in age from 10 to 19, have captured the fancy of spectators with their marching ability
and drum and bugle corps routine.
Director Brown pointed out that the corps is self-supporting, although it has received some large assists, such as the gift of
uniforms from the Consumers Co-Op Shopping Center, and the gift of a truck for hauling supplies and equipment from Peters Meats.
A Boosters Club, made up of parents, holds meetings each month to plan further developments and members of this club make trips
with the corps on all out-of-city appearances.
Policy and conduct is invested in a board composed of senior instructors who have been with the corps since its inception.
They are Bert Ross, president and drum major, Steve Hoffmeister, Dennis Ross, Wally Tibbetts, Rick Wilsey, Mike Brown, Mike
McCurdy, Dave Rawlings, Bob McQuillan, Jerry Mikesell & Rod Severson.
Since first formed in 1957, the corps has made 41 appearances and traveled more than 7,000 miles.
Membership is open to all interested boys within the age limits. Instruments and training are furnished at no charge. Rehearsals
are held every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Auditorium.